MAY. 109 



lowing spring. On his return, he published an account of 

 his journey in the most flaming and hyperbolical terms, quite 

 laughable to those acquainted with the country by experience. 

 Supposing that because his friends sacrificed a portion of their 

 time to his amusement, they had therefore nothing to do, he 

 seemed to consider a -farmer's life in Canada as one of ease 

 and pleasure, of abundance and luxury. He returned the 

 next summer to his paradise, found that there was some la- 

 bour, and toil, and privation, which he had not anticipated ; 

 did nothing to his farm, spent his means, and the next spring 

 gave up his purchase at a considerable loss, and went back 

 poor and miserable. I fear this is too common a case. 



C. But I have seen some very favourable accounts from 

 persons resident here. 



F. They are generally from gentlemen who have capi- 

 tal ; or at least means enough to make them comfortable, 

 without personal labour, in any country. These, suffering 

 none of the inconveniences and privations which assail ordi- 

 nary settlers, usually write as they feel ; and these accounts 

 are mostly given while the novelty of a forest life, and the 

 excitements of a new country, are fresh ; before they have 

 begun to feel the want of that society to which they have 

 been accustomed, and of those luxuries and refinements which 

 only an old state of things can give. Perhaps it is not un- 

 charitable to suppose that some of the praises bestowed may 

 arise from the principle developed in the fable of the fox who 

 had lost his tail ; the friends they have left are anxious about 

 their welfare, and they feel reluctant to let those kind friends 

 suppose they are disappointed, and endeavour to persuade 

 themselves they are not. I have known something of this 

 feeling myself. I have resided here some time, and have 

 engaged personally in the labours of agriculture, and have made 

 many inquiries ; and I do not know an instance, with one sin- 

 gle exception, of an English emigrant, who is not dissatisfied 



